As nobody has ever asked me, and possibly will never ask me, to select a list of books that have a deep influence on my daily life, I have decided to do just that! Well, I can't wait for ever, and I really do want to talk about these things. When I say ‘Influence on my daily life’ I mean just that ´, I'm always reaching for these books, have them heavily bookmarked. It's no coincidence that each of these books, however obliquely, relate to simple living, that’s what my life has been about for the last twenty years! I've limited myself to five books in this post, but that doesn't mean I won't be back!
Beyond The Rat Race – Arthur Gish
To start with, a book by Art Gish, that gives clear advice on how to introduce radical simplicity into your life. Gish was no lifestyle guru, but a dedicated man who lived a life of radical simplicity himself. It was published in 1973 which only goes to prove that he well ahead of his time, in his thinking, and his actions.
I don't think it has ever been published here in Europe, (various editions available in North America), but you can buy used copies, or a PDF, on the internet. Read it if you can but be warned it is life changing!
A Room of One's Own - Virginia Woolf
This book has been with me since adolescence and even if I'm not reading it, something from it is never far from my thoughts.
Virginia Woolf hasn't so much written a book for you to read, but let you spend some time within her thought process. The book is often said to be about feminism, which it is, but it is also a glimpse into a time of vast change at every social level and why such change was very necessary. The book still makes me angry in several places. Virginia was influenced by the likes of her predecessors William Morris and John Ruskin, but also by the writing, and presumably the conversations that she had, with her Quaker aunt Caroline Stephens. If you have never read any Virginia Woolf, this is the best place to start. The book is out of copyright, so you can find free copies in various formats on the internet. Don't be afraid :^)
It's true to say that a lifetime of exposure to this book has made me think differently about many things, but Virginia and Leonard Woolf have had an even bigger influence on my ideas about gardening and interior decoration. Just feast your eyes on the third picture which is of Virginia's bedroom at her home Monk's House. To see more of her home and garden follow the link below.
Virginia Woolf's Home
Essential Guide to Radical Self-reliant Gardening – Will Bonsall
This is not in the line of your average gardening book, it is the considered account of an experienced, and truly radical grower! If you garden under 'nice' conditions, then this book is not required reading, but if like me you struggle with winters that are too cold, soil that is too stony, soil that is too acidic, and summers that are too dry, etc., then give this book a try. It is written with insight, understanding of the problems and setbacks involved, wisdom and much humour.
Will does his growing in Maine, so his conditions are not dissimilar to those here in southern Sweden. He is vegan, so works without animal produced composting material, something many of us have to do. He grows to produce organic food on a level, and range, which is truly impressive.
Some may find his 'growing food to survive Armageddon style' a little hard to take, but it might make a good read for anyone nowadays! This book has been my constant companion since moving to live in a Nordic Forest but would be of use to anyone serious about growing food in a way that complements the natural environment.
Published in the States, but seemingly available in Europe without problems.
Thoreau’s Country – Edited by David R. Foster
Thoreau, yes, but not the 'Walden' that you may have been expecting. This book, the fourth in the list of books influencing my everyday life, is edited items from Thoreau's journal, together with some background writing from David R. Foster. Foster, an ecologist, repeated Thoreau's experiment of living in the woods in 1977 and has provided both insight to Thoreau's work and an impression of how the landscape has changed over the century.
The book is perfect for picking up, reading a sentence or two, and then mulling it over while you get on with some ‘Waldenesque’ task for yourself. At your bedside, when you are too tired from much Thoreau like exertion to read very much, this is just what you need to dip into before sleep takes control
The book is an American publication, and you might have to order it as an import if you live elsewhere. If of course you haven't read 'Walden' itself, or want to reread it, then that book is out of copyright and freely available.
The New Complete guide to Self-Sufficiency – John Seymour
For my fifth book that influences my daily life, the one that started me on looking for a different lifestyle in the first place is John Seymour's wonderful book (which unfortunately is published under many slightly different titles). Basically, he wrote a book on self-sufficiency, which then became the 'new' guide to self-sufficiency, and eventually had words like 'complete' and then 'new complete' added to increase the confusion. The later editions of the book have writings from his other books added to it, so if you buy it get the latest edition you can find, but second-hand copies of older editions are also about.
Seymour was what in the U.K. people would call a 'cantankerous old know-it-all'; much of the book seems not to have been "written" at all, rather spun off verbally and jotted down by some family member or disciple. It is full of the kind of advice that publishers like to publish a disclaimer about, such as shooting bullfinches, or defecating directly into your compost heap!
Given all this, no book is more inspiring, encouraging or helpful, no aspect of self-sufficiency is not covered, and you could use it as your guide to a whole new way of life. Even if you live in circumstances which make this kind of life nothing more than a daydream, then reading it would make you a better-informed daydreamer.
I am currently using my third edition of the book, and I could honestly pick it up now and devote an hour or two just to the joy of losing myself in the pages. Originally a U.K. publication, but editions available in many languages around the world.
A Room of One's Own - Virginia Woolf
This book has been with me since adolescence and even if I'm not reading it, something from it is never far from my thoughts.
Virginia Woolf hasn't so much written a book for you to read, but let you spend some time within her thought process. The book is often said to be about feminism, which it is, but it is also a glimpse into a time of vast change at every social level and why such change was very necessary. The book still makes me angry in several places. Virginia was influenced by the likes of her predecessors William Morris and John Ruskin, but also by the writing, and presumably the conversations that she had, with her Quaker aunt Caroline Stephens. If you have never read any Virginia Woolf, this is the best place to start. The book is out of copyright, so you can find free copies in various formats on the internet. Don't be afraid :^)
It's true to say that a lifetime of exposure to this book has made me think differently about many things, but Virginia and Leonard Woolf have had an even bigger influence on my ideas about gardening and interior decoration. Just feast your eyes on the third picture which is of Virginia's bedroom at her home Monk's House. To see more of her home and garden follow the link below.
Virginia Woolf's Home
Essential Guide to Radical Self-reliant Gardening – Will Bonsall
This is not in the line of your average gardening book, it is the considered account of an experienced, and truly radical grower! If you garden under 'nice' conditions, then this book is not required reading, but if like me you struggle with winters that are too cold, soil that is too stony, soil that is too acidic, and summers that are too dry, etc., then give this book a try. It is written with insight, understanding of the problems and setbacks involved, wisdom and much humour.
Will does his growing in Maine, so his conditions are not dissimilar to those here in southern Sweden. He is vegan, so works without animal produced composting material, something many of us have to do. He grows to produce organic food on a level, and range, which is truly impressive.
Some may find his 'growing food to survive Armageddon style' a little hard to take, but it might make a good read for anyone nowadays! This book has been my constant companion since moving to live in a Nordic Forest but would be of use to anyone serious about growing food in a way that complements the natural environment.
Published in the States, but seemingly available in Europe without problems.
Thoreau’s Country – Edited by David R. Foster
Thoreau, yes, but not the 'Walden' that you may have been expecting. This book, the fourth in the list of books influencing my everyday life, is edited items from Thoreau's journal, together with some background writing from David R. Foster. Foster, an ecologist, repeated Thoreau's experiment of living in the woods in 1977 and has provided both insight to Thoreau's work and an impression of how the landscape has changed over the century.
The book is perfect for picking up, reading a sentence or two, and then mulling it over while you get on with some ‘Waldenesque’ task for yourself. At your bedside, when you are too tired from much Thoreau like exertion to read very much, this is just what you need to dip into before sleep takes control
The book is an American publication, and you might have to order it as an import if you live elsewhere. If of course you haven't read 'Walden' itself, or want to reread it, then that book is out of copyright and freely available.
The New Complete guide to Self-Sufficiency – John Seymour
For my fifth book that influences my daily life, the one that started me on looking for a different lifestyle in the first place is John Seymour's wonderful book (which unfortunately is published under many slightly different titles). Basically, he wrote a book on self-sufficiency, which then became the 'new' guide to self-sufficiency, and eventually had words like 'complete' and then 'new complete' added to increase the confusion. The later editions of the book have writings from his other books added to it, so if you buy it get the latest edition you can find, but second-hand copies of older editions are also about.
Seymour was what in the U.K. people would call a 'cantankerous old know-it-all'; much of the book seems not to have been "written" at all, rather spun off verbally and jotted down by some family member or disciple. It is full of the kind of advice that publishers like to publish a disclaimer about, such as shooting bullfinches, or defecating directly into your compost heap!
Given all this, no book is more inspiring, encouraging or helpful, no aspect of self-sufficiency is not covered, and you could use it as your guide to a whole new way of life. Even if you live in circumstances which make this kind of life nothing more than a daydream, then reading it would make you a better-informed daydreamer.
I am currently using my third edition of the book, and I could honestly pick it up now and devote an hour or two just to the joy of losing myself in the pages. Originally a U.K. publication, but editions available in many languages around the world.
(C) Ray Lovegrove 2022
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